Dolly & Porter: A Creative, Complex Country Duo

Opry Star's Stubbornness Inspired Parton's '9 to 5' Movie Character

Nov 6, 2008 Lisa L. Rollins

Dolly Parton's enduring love for former duet-partner Porter Wagoner inspired her career's signature song. But her aggravation with his stubbornness motivated her, too.

In a recent interview, country star and sometime-actress Dolly Parton said the man who gave her country career its first big break in 1967 by signing her on as the "girl singer" for his long-running TV program, The Porter Wagoner Show, was an invaluable and loving mentor but also, at times, a royal pain.

"He was very much—I don't mean this in a bad way, so don't play it up that way—but he very much was a male-chauvinist pig," Parton told the Los Angeles Times, referring to Porter Wagoner. "He was in charge, and it was his show, but he was also very strong-willed. That's why we fought like crazy, because I wouldn't put up with a bunch of stuff."

Dolly Parton Gets Her Big Break on The Porter Wagoner Show

The first member of her family to graduate high school, Parton—the fourth of 12 children—grew up dreaming of becoming a country singer in music's big leagues. Wagoner is crediting with helping Parton do just that, thanks to her seven-year role as his duet partner on The Porter Wagoner Show that began when she was 21.

But the pair's relationship beyond the TV cameras was often rocky, and ultimately, their behind-the-scenes arguing led to an acrimonious parting of ways. Parton left the show in 1974 and the pompadoured Wagoner filed a protracted $3 million lawsuit against her over alleged assets.

Regarding the off-stage differences that eventually led to Parton's decision to leave the Missouri native's show, the buxom singer said she stayed on the weekly show as long as she did "out of respect" for the late Grand Ole Opry emcee and Country Music Hall of Fame inductee. But eventually, enough was enough.

Grand Ole Opry Star Inspires Parton's 9 to 5 Movie Role

"I knew (Wagoner) was the boss, and I would go along to where I felt this was reasonable for me," she has said. "But once it passed points where it was like, 'Your way or my way, and this is just to control, to prove to you that I can do it,' ... then I would just pitch a damn fit. I wouldn't care if it killed me. I would just say what I thought. I would do like the ( 9 to 5 movie's) Doralee character and say, 'I would turn you from a rooster to a hen if you don't stop!'"

Parton—who starred in the 1980 hit-comedy about the daily experiences of pink-collar working women—recently shared with media that she based the personality of her Doralee movie character, a secretary forced to deal with a sexist boss, in large part on her early relationship with Wagoner.

Now a mainstream icon of American culture, Parton disclosed that Wagoner was her inspiration in 9 to 5 after attending a live-show performance of the 9 to 5: The Musical in Los Angeles, a production that's headed to Broadway beginning April 23, 2009.

Country Music's Favorite Duo Lives On in Country Music's Greatest Love Song

Regarding the day Wagoner died, Parton has said she had "a premonition" that told her to go to his beside, where she sang to him during his final hours. With his passing, a chapter in country music closed. And Parton, too, has said that a part of her died with Wagoner that Oct. 28, 2007, day. Nevertheless, her biggest country hit remains an enduring tribute to the much-loved singer who was known for his Nudie suits and country-gospel sound.

Wagoner's role as a source of inspiration for Parton is now documented not only via Doralee, but famously so in a country song she wrote in 1973, I Will Always Love You. Released in '74, the single was written as a bitterweet farewell to sidekick Wagoner. Parton has recorded it three times, and three times it's been a country-radio hit

Aside from being named the No. 1 song on Country Music Television's 100 Greatest Country Love Songs in 2004, the track was recorded in 1992 by pop artist Whitney Houston, whose version became one of the best-selling singles of all time and the best-selling single ever by a female artist.

Sources

Darden, Beville, Dolly Shares Unflattering Memories of Porter, posted online Nov. 4, 2008. Accessed Nov. 5, 2008, at www.theboot.com

Dolly Parton, n.d. Accessed Nov. 5, 2008, at www.planetout.com

Dolly Parton Biography, n.d. Accessed Nov. 5, 2008, at www.musicianguide.com

I Will Always Love You, Wikipedia, page last modifiled Nov. 3, 2008. Accessed Nov. 6, 2008, at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Will_Always_Love_You

Parton sang for Wagoner in final hours, Oct. 29, 2007, USA Today.

Powers, Ann. Dolly loves her '9 to 5' role, Sept. 21, 2008, Los Angeles Times.

The copyright of the article Dolly & Porter: A Creative, Complex Country Duo in Country Music is owned by Lisa L. Rollins. Permission to republish Dolly & Porter: A Creative, Complex Country Duo in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

1972 Dolly and Porter album, Together Always.	The duo's Best of album	Dolly Parton and Porter Wagoner, circa 2005.
Dolly Parton, left, as Doralee in 9 to 5.	9-to-5 (And Odd Jobs) album by Dolly Parton